|
My Emphasis On
Strengths-Based Methods
Historically, mental
health treatment has emphasized problem
behaviors. However, research and experience
during the last ten years regarding recovery,
rehabilitation, and resilience has clarified the
importance of emphasizing individual strengths
and vibrant social support systems in addition
to changing negative attitudes and thoughts.
Strengths-Based
Methods include:
- Focus on
strengths, interests, abilities and competencies rather than
on deficits, weaknesses, or problems
- Emphasize
people’s capacity to learn, grow, and change
- Respect the
empowerment of the individual as central to success
- Nurture
connection to a caring network of support by encouraging
connection to pro-social individuals and community programs
To most
effectively achieve desired outcomes, I emphasize assessment
of each client’s talents, natural abilities, personal
characteristics, and basic life skills. I then help clients
apply them within their environment to achieve their
personal goals.
So, What Is Resilience?
Wolin and Wolin,
leaders in the field of resilience, describe
resilience as "The capacity to bounce back, to
withstand hardship, and to repair oneself." This
capacity is based on a set of attributes that
make up a resilient personality, and include:
- Self
esteem
-
Independent thoughts and actions
- Ability
to compromise in interactions with others
-
Well-established networks of friends
- High
level of discipline and a sense of responsibility
-
Acknowledgment of one's own special gifts and talents
-
Open-mindedness and willingness to explore new ideas
-
Willingness to dream
- Broad
range of interests
- Sharp
sense of humor
- Insight
into one's own feelings and those of others; and the
ability to effectively communicate these
- High
endurance of distress
- Focus
-
Appreciation and respect for personal challenges as
necessary steps in the development of emotional depth
and competence in critical life skills.
I will have
achieved my therapeutic goals for each client when they
develop into strong, creative, resilient children and adults
who are ready and able to thrive in life with their eyes and
hearts wide open, confident and competent in their critical
life skills.
Why I Do What I Do
A
growing body of research and experience confirms that to
thrive in life, one must have strong social, emotional,
coping and thinking skills. These skills are the
foundation of resilience. With strong skills and solid
connections to a caring community, people are best prepared
to learn from life experience and thrive. |
